General | Application and Renewal | Scope of Practice | Continuing Education
General
- Can I utilize treatment modalities that are within scope of practice for both athletic training and occupational therapy or acupuncture and Eastern Asian medicine?
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Yes. RCW 18.250.010 says that the practice of athletic training does not include the practice of acupuncture and Eastern medicine or occupational therapy, but some in-common treatment modalities are applied in different ways for different areas of practice. A good example is myofascial decompression (MFD). MFD is a type of cupping and is often incorporated into acupuncture and Eastern medicine treatments. MFD can also be used by athletic trainers. The important distinction is in the goal of the treatment, not the treatment itself. When considering treatment modalities that may overlap in scope, consider whether the treatment has a goal consistent with the scope of practice for an athletic trainer.
- I'm nationally certified, do I need a Washington license in order to practice in Washington?
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Yes, a license is required to practice athletic training in Washington state, effective July 1, 2008.
Application and Renewal
- How do I apply for a license?
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Application forms are on the athletic trainer licensing information webpage. You may apply for a license either online or send a paper application through the mail.
- How much does it cost to get a license?
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Information about the fee schedule is posted on the athletic trainer licensing information webpage.
- How long does the application process take?
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See the most current application processing times on our Application Status webpage. The quickest way to check the status of your application at any time is to view the Provider Credential Search site.
- What is the renewal process?
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A courtesy reminder email will be sent to you six-to-eight weeks prior to your birthday. It is important to keep your email address up to date with the department. Renewal payment must be received by the department or postmarked on or before your birth date. Receipt of the renewal notice is not required to renew. Contact the Customer Service Center at 360-236-4700 if you have questions regarding your renewal process.
- How much is my renewal fee?
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If you renew on or before your birth date, you pay the annual fee. If you renew after your birth date, you pay the renewal and late penalty fees. Late penalty fees won’t be waived.
- I travel out of state with my team. Is my license valid in other states?
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It depends on the state to which you're traveling, and whether that state requires a license to practice athletic training. Check the state's specific laws regarding practicing athletic training.
- Is there an exam required to qualify for a license?
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Yes, The Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC) examination is the required examination to qualify for a license.
- I'm currently licensed as an athletic trainer in another state, may I practice in Washington?
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RCW 18.250.050 states an athletic trainer from another state is not required to hold a Washington license while practicing in Washington if the athletic trainer is pursuing continuing education, consulting, or performing athletic training services while accompanying his or her group, individual, or representatives into Washington state on a temporary basis for no more than 90 days in a calendar year.
Scope of Practice
- May I purchase, store, or administer medications?
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Substitute House Bill 1275 (PDF) passed in 2023 and established training and education requirements for athletic trainers who would like to purchase, store, and administer medications. The bill also clarified that athletic trainers may purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications, and that the term “medications” does not include controlled substances. The department completed rulemaking, effective July 21, 2024, which clarifies what training is required for athletic trainers to purchase, store, and administer medications.
This means that athletic trainers may purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications, and may purchase, store, and administer prescription medications after completing training programs as outlined in WAC 246-916-070. Note that all requirements under RCW 18.250.110 must be followed, and the rule also clarifies that for the purpose of this chapter, the term "medications" does not include controlled substances.
- Do I need to notify or register with the Department of Health before I purchase, store, or administer medications?
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You do not need an endorsement or any kind of registration once you have completed the training and education to purchase, store or administer medications. You must ensure that before you purchase, store, or administer any particular medication that you have completed the required training under WAC 246-916-070.
- If necessary, can I, acting as an athletic trainer, administer an epi-pen to students in public or private school settings?
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No. Under RCW 18.250.110(2), an athletic trainer, while acting in their professional capacity as an athletic trainer, may not administer any medications to a student in a public school or a private school or school-sponsored event. Note that under section 3 of the same statute, an athletic trainer may administer medications consistent with RCW 18.250.110 to a minor in a setting other than a school, if they have written consent from the minor’s parent or guardian.
Additionally, under RCW 28A.210.383, if a student has an epinephrine autoinjector prescription on file with their school, the “designated trained school personnel,” as well as the school nurse, may utilize the school district or school supply of epinephrine autoinjectors to respond to an anaphylactic reaction under a standing protocol according to RCW 28A.210.380.
So, an athletic trainer who is also the school’s “designated trained school personnel” would be able to administer an epinephrine autoinjector to a student who has a prescription on file, but they would be serving in the capacity of the “designated trained school personnel,” not as an athletic trainer. Review the Department of Health’s standing orders (PDF) for additional information.
- Do I need to work under a supervising physician?
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Not necessarily. Under RCW 18.250.010, an athletic trainer can practice athletic training through the consultation, referral, or guidelines of a licensed health care provider. A licensed health care provider is defined under the same statute as a physician, physician assistant, osteopathic physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, naturopath, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, occupational therapist, or podiatric physician and surgeon.
Under RCW 18.250.070, except as necessary to provide emergency care of athletic injuries, an athletic trainer shall not provide treatment, rehabilitation, or reconditioning services to any person except as specified in guidelines established with a licensed health care provider who is licensed to perform the services provided in the guidelines.
Refer to RCW 18.250.070 for information about when an athletic trainer must refer an athlete back to a licensed healthcare provider.
- Does Washington have a provisional period to practice while your application is pending?
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No. New applicants do not have a provisional period to practice while their application is pending. To expedite the application process, it may help to submit your application about a month before your supporting documents, such as your exam results and transcripts, are ready. Your transcripts and exam results can be sent to the department after your application is submitted. Applying early can help speed up the licensing process.
Continuing Education
- How many hours of continuing education do I need?
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Athletic trainers must complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years or alternatively maintain an active BOC certification.
- Where do I find information on continuing education requirements for athletic trainers?
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WAC 246-916-060 outlines continuing education requirements for athletic trainers. WAC 246-12, Part 7 outlines general requirements that apply to all professions.
- How do I know when my continuing education hours are due?
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Continuing education hours are due every two years. You will receive a notice along with your renewal reminder when you're required to report continuing education hours. Please note that while you only attest to your continuing education hours every two years, you are still required to renew your license annually. In addition, your continuing education due date is listed on Provider Credential Search.
- How do I attest to completing my continuing education hours?
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You must attest to meeting the requirements of WAC 246-916-060 every two years. The attestation is done as part of the renewal process. Please note that while you only attest to your continuing education hours every two years, you are still required to renew your license annually. You may attest online if renewing online or by signature if renewing by mail. You do not need to submit your BOC certification or your certificates of completion unless you are contacted by the department for a continuing education audit.
- How do I know what courses are acceptable?
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Acceptable courses must be from the categories listed in WAC 246-916-060. Documentation requirements are listed for each category.
- What happens if I'm audited?
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If you're audited, you'll receive a letter from the Department of Health. You must send documentation of all courses for the two-year continuing education cycle.
- How long do I have to keep proof of my continuing education courses?
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Per WAC 246-12-200(2), you must keep documentation for four years.
- Do I have to complete health equity training as part of my continuing education?
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Yes. Effective January 1, 2024, you are required to complete one hour of health equity continuing education every two years. The goal of health equity continuing education is to equip health care workers with the skills to recognize and address health inequities in their daily work. This hour may be counted towards your continuing education requirements. Free training options and other information are available on our Health Equity Continuing Education webpage.
- Do I have to complete suicide prevention training as part of my continuing education?
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Yes. Under WAC 246-916-065, effective August 1, 2020, athletic trainers must complete a secretary-approved one-time training that is at least six hours long for suicide assessment that includes screening, referral, and imminent harm via lethal means elements. This training must be completed within your first full continuing education cycle after becoming licensed. These hours can be counted towards your continuing education requirements.